Author's Note: I should probably just stop making excuses.
[Lily Potter]
Friday, April 10, 1981
Hey Harry. It's good to talk to you again.
I took you out into the garden today. It's finally warming up. I thought it would take forever, but maybe not. We didn't stay long, though. You're still little, and the chill bothers you much more than it does me.
We had a good time out there before it got cold, though. You seemed fairly interested, or at least as interested as a baby can be. Never the less, it seems like something you enjoy. I think I'll tell Alice about it, next time I talk to here. Her mother-in-law, Frank's mother, has several greenhouses, I believe. Maybe Neville will enjoy it as much as you did.
James has been playing peek-a-boo with you. I can't tell if you or he likes it more. I know James doesn't seem like the kind of person who could enjoy playing peek-a-boo with a baby, but he's really matured. It's amazing to see him with you- fatherhood suits him magnificently. Part of it's you- your laugh is like magic, Harry. I love you so much.
Bathilda was here last week, as you know. You're getting better with strangers. Not that Bathilda is a stranger, but you don't see much of her as you do us, or Sirius. James and I took a long walk, and Bathilda took care of you while we were gone. She said you were perfectly content, though you've got a bit of the James mischievousness. Apparently you've discovered the cabinets, and they completely fascinate you. So of course, you'd love nothing more than to be able to open them. It's a good thing Bathilda caught you, or else you might have succeeded, and closed yourself in one of them!
You've gotten better at crawling, I must say. You've also perfected the "butt-scoot". Either way, you're quite able to move around, when you want to. I can tell you'll be trouble when you can walk around by yourself. Merlin, I can't imagine what James was like at your age- a little hellion, most likely.
You're getting better at standing up, too. You haven't quite mastered it entirely, but I'm sure that it won't be much longer. I'm so excited for you. Of course James and I are going bat-shit, but you're so excited, too. Your little face gets so proud and happy when you get close… It's fascinating to watch, and I can't help but cheer you on.
Amazingly enough, the baby books I've been reading say that you can understand some speech at this point. That's really bloody cool. I've seen you recognizing names, but I don't know what else you recognize. We'll just have to try it out, won't we?
The books say I can ask you to wave or smile, and you might understand what I want. I think I've give it a try after lunch. James says I'm a bit silly for putting so much faith into the baby books, but I'm just going to ignore him. Obviously every child is different, but these people do know what they are talking about- the muggle ones, too, not just the magical ones.
Speaking of magical, we've seen your first accident magic incident! I'm so proud, and so very amazed. It's brilliant, and it makes me wonder how early I was able to do magic.
You're the most amazing baby in the world, Harry. I hope you know that. And I'm sure that most mothers say that to their children, but it's the truth. You're amazing, and I love you so, so much. Don't ever forget that.
Your loving mother,
Lily